Peach tree named ‘Glacier’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ rootstock (unpatented), grown on Handford Sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as, pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consists of the following unique combination of features that are desirable in a new variety: 
     1. Regular and heavy production of fruit. 
     2. Fruit with large size and good firmness. 
     3. Fruit having an attractive red skin color. 
     4. Sweet, sub-acid fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality. 
     5. Fruit having firm, white flesh, with good storage and shipping qualities. 
     6. Fruit that has the ability to remain firm on the tree 7 to 10 days after maturity (shipping ripe).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present new variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) was originated byus in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., as an openpollinated seedling from a seedling of a cross between two seedlingswith field identification Nos. 36RB243 and 103ED581. The maternal parent(36RB243) originated as an open pollinated seedling from a cross betweena seedling with field identification No. 16EA132 and ‘Amparo Peach’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,472. The seedling (16EA132) originated as an openpollinated seedling from a peach of unknown parentage. The pollen parent(103ED581) originated as an open pollinated seedling between a cross oftwo seedlings with field identification Nos. 23EA150 and 54G51. Theseedling (23EA150) originated from an open pollinated ‘O'Henry’ Peach(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,964) seed. The seedling (54G51) originated froman open pollinated peach seedling from a peach of unknown parentage. Wegrew and maintained a large group of these seedlings, growing on theirown root, during which time one such seedling, which is of the presentvariety, being especially desirable for its tree and fruitcharacteristics described below, was selected for asexual reproductionand commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peach tree wasby budding to ‘Nemaguard’ rootstock (unpatented), as performed by us inour experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows thatreproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics ofthe tree and the fruit are established and transmitted throughsucceeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree is of large size, vigorous,upright growth, and is a productive and regular bearer of large size,white flesh freestone fruit that has good storage and shippingqualities. The fruit is further characterized by its attractive red skincolor, firm flesh, sweet, sub-acid flavor and excellent eating quality,its ability to remain firm on the tree 7 to 10 days after maturity and,in comparison to ‘Summer Sweet’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,070), whichit resembles in firmness and flavor, the new variety is approximately 7days later in maturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a fruit divided in its suture plane toshow flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. Thephotographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shippingripe) and the colors are as true as is reasonably possible in a colorrepresentation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofpeach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations ofspecimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color terminology (exceptthose in common terms) in accordance with Reinhold Color Atlas by A.Kornerup and J. H. Wanscher.

Tree:

Size.—Large. Tree height controlled by selective pruning 12 to 14 feetin height and 12 to 14 feet in width for economical harvesting of fruit.

Vigor.—Vigorous. Tree growth of 5 to 7 feet in height and 4 to 6 feet inwidth the first growing season. Pruned, during the first dormant seasonto 4 to 5 feet in height when primary branches are selected fordesirable scaffolds and to promote proper tree growth for secondaryscaffolds to be selected in second dormant season.

Form.—Upright.

Productivity.—Productive, producing 1½ to several times the number offruit for desired crop load. Fruit is thinned and spaced to the desirednumber to develop marketable size fruit.

Bearer.—Regular, has produced adequate fruit set for 5 consecutiveyears.

Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape by removing smalllimbs and twigs from center of tree to allow for more sunlight toenhance fruit color and Brix.

Hardiness.—Tested in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Estimated chillingrequirement 750 to 850 hours below 45° F.

Trunk:

Size.—Medium stocky. Circumference of 22 inches at 12 inches above theground on an 8 year old tree. Varies with soil type, climatic conditionsand cultural practices.

Texture.—Medium shaggy.

Color.—Brown to soot brown (5-E-5) to (5-F-6).

Branches:

Size.—Medium. Circumference averages 8½ inches at 30 inches above theground.

Texture.—Smooth to medium rough. Roughness increases with age of branch.

Lenticels.—Numerous. Average number of 60 in a 4 square inch section.Small to medium in size, {fraction (11/64)} inch in length, {fraction(3/64)} inch in width. Size increases as branches become larger. Colorvaries from fox red to reddish brown (8-D-7) to (8-D-6).

Color.—Light brown to brown (5-D-5) to (5-E-7). Color gets darker brownwith age of branch.

Leaves:

Size.—Large. Average length 6⅜ inches. Average width 1⅝ inches.

Form.—Lanceolate. Pointed.

Margin.—Crenate.

Thickness.—Medium.

Surface.—Smooth.

Petiole.—Medium. Average length {fraction (7/16)} inch. Average width{fraction (3/64)} inch. Grooved longitudinally. Color varies from greento deep green (28-D-8) to (29-D-8).

Glands.—Reniform. Medium in size, average diameter {fraction (3/64)}inch. Number varies from 2 to 5. Average No. 3. Color—grayish yellow tograyish green (1-B-7) to (1-C-6). Located on base of leaf blade andupper portion of petiole.

Color.—Upper surface — green to dark green (29-F-6) to (29-F-8). Lowersurface — grayish green to deep green (29-E-7) to (29-E-8).

Flower buds:

Size.—Medium to large. Average length ⅗ inch. Average diameter ⅖ inch, 4days before full bloom.

Form.—Plump.

Pubescence.—Pubescent.

Color.—Pink (11-A-2).

Flowers:

Size.—Large, showy. 1½ to 1⅝ inches in diameter.

Petal.—Nunber—5. Obovate, edges vary from smooth to slightly scalloped.Average length {fraction (11/16)} inch. Average width {fraction (9/16)}inch.

Sepals.—Number—5. Alternately arranged to petals. Obovate, with smoothedges. Pubescent. Average length ⅕ inch. Average width ⅕ inch.Color—violet brown to garnet brown (11-E-6) to (11-E-8), except alongouter edges, which are wax yellow to olive yellow (3-B-5) to (3-C-5).

Pollen.—Present, self-fertile.

Stamens.—Number of stamens varies from 40 to 45. Average length{fraction (17/37)} inch. Filament color—white (1-A-1), turning pink withage of bloom. Anther color—cardinal red (10-D-8).

Pistil.—Usually one. Pubescent. Average length {fraction (9/20)} inch.Color—yellowish-white to pastel yellow (1-A-2) to (1-A-4).

Aroma.—None.

Color.—Pink to light pink (11-A-2) to (11-A-3). Color fades with age ofbloom.

Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom: Feb. 15, 1997. Date of Last Bloom:Feb. 23, 1997. Varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.—Shipping ripe.

Date of first picking.—Jul. 12, 1997.

Date of last picking.—Jul. 17, 1997. Varies slightly with climaticconditions.

Size.—Large. Average diameter axially—2¾ to 3 inches. Averagetransversely in suture plane—2⅞ to 3 inches. Average weight 191 grams,varies from 178 to 200. Varies with number of fruit per tree, soil type,climatic conditions and cultural practices.

Form.—Nearly globose, slightly flattened at stem end.

Suture.—Shallow, extends from base to apex.

Ventral surface.—Usually rounded, some fruit slightly lipped.

Apex.—Usually rounded, varies from slight tip to slight depression.

Base.—Retuse.

Cavity.—Slightly elongated in suture plane. Average depth {fraction(7/16)} inch. Average breadth 1 inch.

Stem:

Size.—Average length ¼ to {fraction (9/32)} inch. Average diameter ⅛inch. Enlarged at point of fruit attachment.

Color.—Olive gray to olive yellow (2-D-4) to (2-D-6).

Flesh:

Ripens.—Evenly.

Texture.—Firm.

Fibers.—Few, small and tender.

Aroma.—Moderate.

Amygdalin.—Undetected.

Juice.—Moderate, mild, sub-acid, sweet, enhances flavor. Average Brix12.0°.

Eating quality.—Excellent.

Flavor.—Excellent, mild, sweet, sub-acid.

Color.—White to pinkish white near pit cavity (11-A-1) to (11-A-2). Pitcavity varies from pastel pink to dull red (11-A-4) to (11-B-6).Bleeding of pinkish red from pit cavity into flesh, heavier toward theapex.

Skin:

Thickness.—Medium.

Texture.—Medium, tenacious to the flesh.

Down.—Moderate amount. Medium length.

Tendency to crack.—None.

Color.—White to pinkish white ground color (9-A-1) to (9-A-2). Nearlyoverspread with pale red to light red (9-A-4) to (9-A-6). Fruit exposedto sunlight have a higher degree of enhanced red skin color.

Stone:

Type.—Freestone.

Size.—Large. Average length 1⅜ inches. Average width 1 inch. Averagethickness ¾ inch.

From.—Oval to ovoid.

Base.—Usually straight, varies from straight to rounded.

Apex.—Cuspidate.

Surface.—Irregularly furrowed toward apex, pitted toward base, pitcavities vary from round to elongated.

Sides.—Equal to unequal. Some stones have one side slightly larger,extending farther from the suture plane.

Tendency to split.—None.

Color.—Reddish brown to brown (9-E-7) to (10-E-7).

Use: Dessert.

Market.—Local and long distance.

Storage quality: Good, fruit holds firm for two weeks in cold storagewith no internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss of eatingquality.

Shipping quality: Good, picking and packing of fruit gave minimalbruising or scarring of flesh or skin.

Disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing for relativeplant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been designed. Underclose observation during planting, growing, and harvesting of fruit,under normal cultural and growing conditions near Modesto, Calif., noparticular plant/fruit disease resistance or susceptibility has beenobserved.

The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruitherein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially asillustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous andupright growth; being a productive and regular bearer of large sizefruit with firm, white flesh, sweet sub-acid flavor and excellent eatingquality; the fruit is further characterized by its good storage andshipping quality, its ability to remain firm on the tree 7 to 10 daysafter maturity; and, in comparison to the ‘Summer Sweet’ Peach (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 8,070), the new variety is approximately 7 days later inmaturity.